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Best Chili Dishes In The Pittsburgh Area

Chili, named after the pepper used to season it, was traditionally a dish made with dried beef, suet and dried chili peppers that kept for a long time and was easy to transport for the American pioneers who favored it. Since then, it has developed into a favorite American food with the use of many different variations of spices, meats, beans and vegetables, in addition to the necessary chili. Not only is chili a tasty meal on its own, it is also great as a topping, filling or flavoring for a number of dishes. Here are some great places to enjoy chili dishes in Pittsburgh.

Be sure to bring your appetite to Hog Father’s located in Washington. You will want to have plenty of room for the chili, barbecue and desserts. Hog Father’s smokehouse chili is rich and meaty with plenty of beans and spice and just a hint of sweetness. You can also enjoy the same tasty chili atop an order of chili cheese fries made with thick-cut steak fries.

Mad Mex has several locations in Pittsburgh for you to enjoy some chili including Robinson, Monroeville, Shadyside and Cranberry. Mad Mex has some interesting spins on chili which include chickpea chili and turkey chili. The chickpea chili is made with roasted tomatillo, jalapeños and Spanish onions in addition to the chickpeas and covered with Monterey Jack cheese and sour cream. The turkey chili is a more traditional red chili made with healthy turkey, red beans, chipotles, garlic, coffee and roasted tomatoes, all topped with sour cream. Both Mad Mex chilis are available by the bowl or stuffed into a tasty burrito.

If you’ve driven through the South Side, you can’t miss the Double Wide Grill. The gas station-type building always seems to be hopping, especially in the evening. Double Wide Grill features a tasty barbecue menu with great vegetarian options. Because of that, there are two tasty chili options. The jailhouse chili features hand-cut beef cubes and spices. This beanless chili is a favorite of chili traditionalists. The grilled vegetable chili is made from grilled vegetables, beans, corn and tomatoes. Both chilis are served with cornbread.

Located in Lawrenceville, Franktuary specializes in frankfurters and everything that goes on them. You can enjoy a fresh all-beef frank topped with grass-fed beef chili, sharp cheddar cheese and jalapenos. Franktuary is also known for its poutine. A dish made with French-cut French fries and tasty toppings, the Texas poutine is also topped with chili, cheddar cheese and jalapenos. Franktuary’s tasty chili dishes are also available around the city on its mobile food truck.

Known for its sandwiches topped with French fries and cole slaw, Primanti Bros. does have other great dishes on its menu. Its hearty, traditional-style chili is available by itself with Italian bread and butter and in a few other dishes on the menu. The nachos grande features chili, cheese, black olives, tomatoes and green peppers topped with sour cream. The Smallman Street fries feature chili, cheese, bacon and sour cream on top of Primanti’s famous fresh-cut fries. Primanti brothers has several locations around the city including the Strip District, Oakland, The South Side and Market Square.

Jennifer Stockdale is a native of the greater Pittsburgh, PA area. She is a restaurant marketer and wine enthusiast and one of the hosts of the East Coast Wine Geeks Podcast. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.